PAUL Parry gave Wales boss Mark Hughes a quick and firm answer to an international puzzle at the Millennium Stadium last night.

"I had to find out whether Paul has the mental strength to perform on the highest stage," said Hughes.

"He has skill, strength and he can carry the ball, but not everybody can cope mentally with performing at international level.

"He answered that - and answered it well. He was enjoying himself out there."

Parry's debut for Wales has already cost Bluebirds' owner Sam Hammam hard cash - and earned money for both the player and his former club.

Cardiff City paid #75,000 down for Parry and agreed a further payment to Hereford United for his Welsh debut. More cash will be handed over if Parry plays in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Hereford will receive an extra #25,000 this week and Parry has also earned himself a pay rise thanks to an international appearances clause in a contract which currently keeps him at Ninian Park until the end of next season (2004-05).

Parry went on for Wales after 35 minutes, replacing the injured Simon Davies. He became one of only a handful of players on the pitch who had already tasted international success against Scotland

in the semi-professional Home Nations championship.

Wales also defeated Ireland and drew against England as they won the title two years ago.

Parry immediately set up Robert Earnshaw's second goal, bursting onto a pass from defence for his first touch, taking on Manchester United's Darren Fletcher and flicking a pass inside for Ryan Giggs.

The cross was perfect and Earnshaw bundled the ball past goalkeeper Rab Douglas.

Parry was playing in front of Cardiff team-mate Danny Gabbidon and they linked well. Newport-born Parry, 23, is a born athlete able to get up and back, while he also showed good awareness on the defensive side of his game.

Twice Fletcher burst away and looked capable of opening up the Wales rearguard, but each time Parry was back to whip the ball away from one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most promising young players.

Having created a goal for Earnie, Parry then did the same for substitute Gareth Taylor. The man who was playing non-League football for Hereford United less than 40 days ago collected a pass from fellow debutant Clark Fletcher and swept forward down the left.

He cut inside and sprayed the ball wide out to the right, a perfectly weighted pass which allowed Taylor to beat his man and fire low into the net from 15 yards.

Parry scarcely wasted a ball and never looked flustered as he took international football in his stride.